Obituary of Nadine Constance Lontz

Ninety years ago, little miss Nadine came onto earth two months early, born as the second child to Edward and Mildred Kenny. In spite of weighing only three pounds, she proved to all that she was a survivor. Her stamina pulled her through the early years of the 1920s as the younger sister of Bud Kenny, the big brother she would look up to and love all her life. Younger brother, Ron, arrived when Nadine was 12 yrs old; she felt he was brought into the world as “a special gift just for me!” Yet, during this year, she contracted appendicitis and spent months hospitalized and in a critical condition, with gangrene invading her body. She came home, proving again she was a survivor. Nadine grew up with her family in West Seattle, Washington, which at the time was the rustic part of town! She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1941 and entered business college. In 1942, she met Gordon M. Lontz at a dance; he had come to Seattle from Wenatchee for work at Boeing. On April 28, 1942, Gordon asked his “little chickadoo” to marry him. They married July 31, 1943 in a church ceremony in Seattle. The honeymoon was spent at a cabin on Lake Wenatchee; horseback riding, fishing and hiking were all new to her, but she loved it. Nadine later entered into employment at Boeing and quickly took to the mechanical work she was assigned, becoming a wartime “Rosie the Riveter,” as well as a “rigger.” For the rest of her life, she considered herself an airplane riveter and rigger, in spite of doing other types of employment. Gordon and Nadine began homesteading a 60-acre parcel near Kent, Washington, in 1946. Nadine often compared this time to the old Fred McMurray film called “The Egg and I.” To the surprise of many though, the city girl loved the adventure of rustic living, ranching, and farm life! In 1970, the Lontzes bought a much smaller place outside of Yelm, Washington, and continued farming, but on a much smaller scale. While the farm was small (only 12 acres), the farming life continued to dictate schedules, prohibiting the travel she longed to do. The exceptions were a couple of trips she took with her mom in the ‘70s, one to Hawaii and the other to the New England states. In 1987, Gordon and Nadine “downsized” and moved to a one-acre parcel next to daughter, Leanne. Here Nadine sculpted a beautiful little park setting around their home; she loved gardening and flowers and even until the time of her passing could name any type of flower in the Northwest! After Gordon’s death, Nadine made a couple of trips to destinations she had always wanted to see. In 2005, accompanied by Tom and Leanne, Teanne, James and Tal, she visited Yellowstone National Park and, then a few years later, the group took the Alaskan Cruise she had always wanted. The highlight of this trip was watching passengers dodge her as she buzzed around the ship on her motorized chair! When cautioning her, she would just say, “They’ll get out of the way”…and she was right…they did and pretty quickly too! In January 2013, at age 89, Nadine moved to Providence Mother Joseph’s Care Center in Lacey, Washington, for rehab after a stay in the hospital. Even though she needed a higher level of care and assistance, she was still able to participate in all family gatherings and outings. Nadine loved many things, especially her Heavenly Father and husband, Gordon. She loved children, flowers, art, Victorian era décor, laughter, animals, friends, spring and autumn, traveling, gardens and almost anything Irish! She especially loved and is survived by her brother, Bud Kenny; daughters, Kimberly Hutchings and Leanne Johnson; son-in-law, Tom Johnson; grandchildren, Teanne Ungren and Jesse Hutchings; grandson-in-law, James Ungren; great grandchildren, Talford Gordon Ungren and Mikyla Lynn Hutchings; and nieces and nephews, David Mathison, Walter Mathison, Kelly Williams, Shannon Osborne, and Michael Kenny. Nadine is predeceased by husband, Gordon Lontz; brother, Ron Kenny; and niece, Christine Mathison. On a personal note: Many years ago, Nadine opened her heart to two young girls who needed a home and a mom. She poured herself into us; our wellbeing became her priority, her life. Loving us was unconditional. Her compassion and generosity would forever shape our lives. She also loved each and every one of you, she loved to laugh with you and learn from you. She had the gift of loving and enjoying almost every person she met and had the highest regard for all. Thank you to all who contributed to her life and to that which she loved. Please leave memories of Nadine or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.